San Francisco Restaurants
Moose's
- Critic's rating
- Frommer's
A big blue neon moose marks your arrival at North Beach's most schmoozy restaurant, where Nob Hill socialites and local politicians gather nightly over cocktails and cioppino. But convivial Moose's is not just an image. On recent visits, the food -- which highlights seasonal local small farm organic ingredients -- has been quite good. Appetizers are innovative, fresh, and well balanced (thank goodness for a truly good Caesar salad and steamed Prince Edward Island mussels). Main courses (especially meats) are always expertly prepared and beautifully presented. Try the Massachusetts striped bass with broccoli, cauliflower, cipollini onions, and lemon; garlic pan-seared duck with shaved Brussels sprouts, black lentils, onions, and duck jus; or grilled Niman Ranch rib-eye. Another reason to love Moose's: They make a darned good Mooseburger.
The bar, separated from the main dining room by a low, frosted-glass partition, remains busy long after the kitchen closes. There's jazz piano nightly and during Sunday brunch.
wherever it appears.